They can become aware if they think about it. But then, depending on the individual, their responses are usually different. Rhythm and tempo, used harmonically, are sympathetic to the body. Music that disturbs the mind is destructive to the body. Do with the mood in mind caused by harmony plus the beat, that will double the affect on the listener and can just as well motivate a person to do a spontaneous act (1).
More specifically, affected individuals by rhythm are rarely aware of all of their responses, such as changes in heart rate or respiration, or even toe tapping. They can become aware if they think about it. But then their responses are usually different. The listener can become memorized by the rhythm of music and to things they don't even realize they are doing. The beat, rhythm and melody of a song or music can influence the listener. Whether the music is soft and mellow or quick and upbeat, the listener will mimic the tempo. In addition, the music that is pleasing to the ear can hypnotize the listener and lead them into spontaneous and unconscious actions. However, depending on the individual's values and morals, they will not do anything that they think is not morally right. Although people have control of themselves during the hype of a song they tend to let go of their inhibitions. Consequently, this is how people tend to take risks, do things they wouldn't normally do if there were just pure silence.
Music has a very strong, very definite physiological and psychological effect on people. Disharmonic music causes a number of negative behaviors. But the good news is that everyone can choose what music they listen to. All it requires is a basic understanding of harmonic and disharmonic music.
Although words have a definite effect on the music listener, their main influence is manifested through rhythm and tempo (1). The disharmonic use of words in music includes meaningless phrases and excessive repetition.